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Perceptions Surrounding the Role of Recreational Therapy within Transitions Services as a Pathway to Employment for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
No full textThe current rate of employment in the US for ages 16 and over is 60.2% (US Department of Labor, 2024); however, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are underemployed. In comparison, the employment rate for individuals with IDD in the United States is 34%, with only 18% holding a competitive job (Avellon et al., 2021). In K-12, students with disabilities including IDD are eligible and required to receive a free and appropriate education deemed necessary under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This includes transition services starting at the age of 16 focusing on functional skills for work and community life (US Department of Education, 2017). Recreational therapy (RT) as a related service to education, special education, and transition services is included under IDEA; however, RT is not prevalent within schools nor transition services. Nevertheless, one of recreational therapy’s mandates is to facilitate skills and opportunities for community life for their clients with disabilities. Therefore, this study aimed to gauge the perceptions of RT within transition services as a pathway to employment for individuals with IDD through a grounded theory approach of qualitative research. The study primarily focused on a community located in the eastern region of NC as the population of individuals with IDD in NC (18%) (NCDHHS, 2023) is noted to be higher than the national average of approximately 3% (US Census, 2019). Data collection included interviews with individuals with IDD, their parents/ family, and/or caregivers, employers, recreational therapists, and those working within related disciplines. Data analysis used the method of constant comparison of emerging codes and axial codes where utilization of two additional reviewers on the research team triangulated the data for credibility and trustworthiness. Five themes were constructed from patterns of similarities and differences from transcribed interviews. The findings of this study included the societal perceptions of individuals with IDD, their characteristics in the workplace, and what is needed for them to achieve employment and maintain it. This study also has multiple implications for both practitioners and future research, including the underutilization of recreational therapy services as a pathway of employment for individuals with IDD and types of settings for such employment
Investigation of Student Knowledge and Access to Professional Clothing
No full textThis pilot classroom project explores how college students navigate the challenge of acquiring professional clothing using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a framework. TPB provides a framework for understanding these behaviors by examining students' attitudes towards professional attire, their perceived social norms, and their perceived control over accessing professional clothing (Ajzen, 1991). Specifically, the study will explore how these factors shape students' intentions and behaviors toward professional dress, providing insights into potential interventions that may improve access to professional attire (Fishbein & Ajzen, 2010). Using a quantitative research design, this study will use an anonymous survey to collect data from a convenience sample of university students for classroom learning purposes. The survey will measure students' attitudes, perceived social norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions regarding professional clothing, based on the constructs of TPB. Descriptive and inferential statistics analysis will identify relationships among these variables and determine factors that influence students’ decisions regarding professional attire. The results of the study will inform potential strategies to reduce obstacles and improve access to professional clothing on campuses, ensuring that all students are prepared for professional success. Key findings indicate that students often face barriers related to affordability, availability, and cultural perceptions of professionalism. These findings suggest that creating awareness and addressing these TPB components related to professional dress may improve students' readiness for professional environments
The Rise of Congenital Syphilis: Current Evidence and Implications for Nursing Practice
No full textCongenital syphilis cases have dramatically increased, with reported cases increasing by 10 times the amount in 2012 compared to 2022. An estimated 9 out of 10 cases could have been prevented with adequate prenatal care and treatment. Appropriate screening and treatments are available, but cases continue to rise. This leads to the question: What is the state of the science of treatment and nursing care for congenital syphilis
Evaluating the Effects of Habitat Characteristics on Initial Oyster Settlement and Post-settlement Survival Across Multiple Spatial Scales
No full textThe connection between spatial scales and ecological processes is a fundamental concept in ecology. The distribution and abundance of organisms rely on various habitat characteristics that vary across spatial scales. In marine systems, where habitat connectivity is high, considering both small and larger spatial scales can offer a more comprehensive view of both species population dynamics and community relationships. The Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is a foundational species that has a broad distribution across temperate estuaries and exists in heterogenous landscapes, co-existing closely with marshes, sandflats, and seagrass meadows. Since oyster reef populations have declined drastically over the past century and provide essential ecological services, considerable efforts have been allocated to ensure they continue to persist along our coastlines. Although restoration efforts are widespread, their success has been variable and often limited. Because post-settlement survival is fundamental to the persistence of oyster reefs, understanding potential ways these processes can be enhanced are critical to improve restoration efforts. Recent restoration approaches have capitalized on positive species interactions to enhance success. Since oysters and seagrass are both structurally complex habitats that inhabit the same tidal elevation zone, they are likely to exhibit strong ecological interactions with one another. While previous studies have examined their interactions, the relationship remains complex and requires further investigation to understand underlying mechanisms that may be leveraged in restoration.
In this study, I investigated the impact of habitat characteristics on post-settlement survival of Crassostrea virginica across multiple spatial scales in North Carolina. Through field experimentation and geospatial analysis, I investigated trends at the regional, local, and seagrass bed scales. I found that: 1) at the regional scale, there were large differences in post-settlement survival between sites; 2) at the local (within site) scale, proximity to adjacent marsh and oyster habitats significantly influenced post-settlement survival patterns; 3) at the seagrass bed scale, elevation drove patterns, while fine-scale seagrass characteristics had minimal impact on post-settlement survival. These findings have important implications for restoration strategies in North Carolina, further supporting work that shows enhancing post-settlement survival should be a priority as larval supply does not appear to be limiting in the region
Influence of Muscle Strength on Nordic Hamstring Exercise Performance
No full textHamstring strain injuries (HSI) are one of the most common non-contact injuries in the athlete population. They can be expensive for professional organizations, as rehabilitation can cost upwards of a few hundred thousand dollars. HSIs also have a very high chance of reinjury of about 30-80%, making it important to find injury prevention methods to combat HSIs. The Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) has been shown to reduce the risk of hamstring strain injury and reinjury in male athlete populations. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine how the muscle strength of the trunk extensors, hip extensors, and knee flexors predicts the knee breakpoint angle of the Nordic hamstring exercise. Methods: 20 recreationally active participants who were familiar with resistance training took part in a series of dynamometer-based strength tests with surface EMGs placed on the hamstrings, gluteus maximus, and the lumbar region of the erector spinae. Knee flexion strength, hip extension strength, and trunk extension strength were measured. Motion sensors were placed after strength testing on the shank, thigh, pelvis, and trunk to calculate joint kinematics and determine the knee breakpoint angle. Results: Mean KBPA for the 20 participants was 62.660±9.540 with no significance between strength and NHE performance (Hamstrings -0.294 p=0.208, Erector Spinae -0.281 p=0.231, Gluteus Maximus -0.251 p=0.285) as well as no significance between activation and performance of the NHE (Semitendinosus peak: -0.184 p=.436 mean: -0.221 p=0.350, Biceps Femoris peak: -0.263 p=0.263 mean: -0.344 p=0.137, Gluteus Maximus peak: -0.043 p=0.858 mean: -0.055 p=0.818, Erector Spinae peak: -0.406 p=0.076 mean: -0.418 p=0.066). Discussion: This study attempted to find the relationship between muscle strength and NHE performance. EMG data were consistent with previous research, specifically when looking at which muscle groups are most active when performing the NHE. Results may have been affected by the population used in the study, possibly confirming past studies that suggest the exercise may be population dependent. Conclusion: With no significant findings, we cannot accept our hypothesis, but future research should be done looking further into the relationship between strength and NHE performance
‘Rock on Bones’: The Role of Western Music and Russian Rock in Perestroika and Post-Soviet Cinema
No full textThis thesis focuses on the role of Western and Russian rock music as represented in perestroika and post-Soviet film. This research aims to define the political subtext and historical accuracy of the musical movements represented in films, such as the stilyagi movement of the 1940s-1960s and the Russian rock movement of the 1970s-1990s. Films of interest include Assa (1987), The Needle (1988), Taxi Blues (1990), Hipsters (2008), and Leto (2018). There was an interplay between the musical films of Perestroika and the Russian rock movement, which mythologized those rockers and lent a cultural capital to the films. Moving into post-Soviet cinema, directors are able to engage with reflective nostalgia to retroactively paint the stilyagi and Russian rock movements as more active and revolutionary than they were, imparting stronger political messaging. Films from both periods manipulate diegesis and utilize song choice to make social commentary the movements themselves could not have made
The Era of Mega-Verdicts: The Efficacy of Malpractice Insurance Risk Assessments
No full textThe U.S. spends about $55 billion annually on the medical liability system, with nearly 10% of healthcare costs dedicated to insurance and defensive medicine. This highlights the urgent need to address the increasing severity of malpractice claims, as defense costs have skyrocketed due to excessive verdicts. Malpractice insurance carriers, such as the project site, that provide insurance for this type of defense, use loss control measures to minimize the financial impact on the insurance company. This project had three aims: to examine the efficacy of the project site’s risk assessment process in providing its clients with evidence-based solutions to mitigate risk exposures that could lead to a claim, to identify common recommendations that were implemented, and to identify the barriers organizations face in implementing recommendations made by the insurance carrier. The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) improvement model was used to develop a new internal process and deploy a post-risk assessment questionnaire to gather data related to the process. A response rate of 59.4% (n = 32) was achieved, and all survey respondents reported that the risk assessment increased their self-efficacy. All but one noted that the recommendations would be implemented, with the reason for non-implementation being a lack of resources. Using these findings to support the risk assessment process can have significant implications for closing organizational gaps. Increasing the focus on patient safety and implementing evidence-based recommendations can reduce preventable harm to patients, enhance the organization’s risk profile, and lower unnecessary spending on claims defense by both the organization and insurance carriers.D.N.P
Exploring NCCARE360's Role in Addressing Food Insecurity: Onboarding Successes, Challenges, and Referral Outcomes Among Community-Based Organizations in the Piedmont Triad Region
Full text linkGiven the integral role community-based organizations (CBOs) play in connecting individuals to essential resources and services, understanding how CBOs engage with NCCARE360 is essential to enhancing adoption, sustainability, and impact of the platform. This study explored how CBOs in the Piedmont Triad Region use NCCARE360, North Carolina’s statewide coordinated care referral platform, to address food insecurity. A mixed methods approach was used to address the study’s objectives. Focus groups explored the barriers to onboarding and retention that CBOs experience as well as the facilitators that keep CBOs active and engaged with NCCARE360. Aggregated CBO-level referral data from July 2023 – June 2024 was analyzed using logistic and negative binomial regression components to evaluate and interpret trends in referral patterns, workflows, service subtypes, and acceptance rates across CBOs to understand referral success. Training and capacity building and resource constraints were commonly reported onboarding and retention barriers of NCCARE360. Facilitators of onboarding and retention emphasized increased exposure for CBOs and the value of using NCCARE360 to connect patients to resources, improve coordinated care, and strengthen care management. The number of referrals received and accepted increased for certain service types, such as emergency food, food pantries, and prepared meals. County-level differences were also noted, with Alamance County showing significant variations in referral acceptance rates, offering insights for best practices to improve NCCARE360 utilization in other counties. Results indicated that CBOs with consistent referral intake also accepted referrals more effectively, and that different CBOs and service subtypes played a crucial role in improving referral acceptance. Further research is needed to understand the specific challenges lower-performing CBOs face in delivering food security services through NCCARE360
INCREASING BEGINNING TEACHER EFFICACY & RETENTION IN A DIVERSE MIDDLE SCHOOL SETTING WITH APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Full text linkTeacher retention, particularly among beginning educators, remains a pressing concern in
education, especially in Title I middle schools that serve diverse student populations. High teacher attrition rates negatively impact student achievement, school culture, and overall educational equity. This study examines the role of targeted professional learning in increasing beginning teacher efficacy and retention in a rural North Carolina middle school. Through an exploratory sequential mixed methods approach, qualitative data were collected through interviews, classroom observations, and instructional rounds, followed by quantitative analysis utilizing pre- and post-surveys to measure changes in teacher confidence and instructional effectiveness. The findings reveal that relevant, structured, and ongoing professional learning opportunities significantly enhance teacher efficacy by providing educators with the tools and strategies necessary to navigate the challenges of their early careers. Key themes that emerged from the study include the importance of classroom management training, content-specific instructional strategies, culturally responsive pedagogy, and mentorship programs. Teachers who received professional learning tailored to their individual needs reported increased confidence in their instructional delivery, greater job satisfaction, and a stronger sense of belonging within the school community. Additionally, opportunities for collaboration, reflection, and leadership
development played a pivotal role in sustaining teacher engagement and reducing burnout. Despite its contributions, this study acknowledges certain limitations, including the relatively small sample size and its focus on a single school setting. However, the findings offer meaningful insights into the design and implementation of effective professional learning programs that can support beginning teachers in similar educational contexts. Future research should explore the long-term impact of professional learning on teacher retention rates across multiple school districts and investigate its direct correlation to student achievement. By prioritizing intentional, sustained, and responsive professional development, school leaders can foster a culture of continuous learning, ultimately improving both teacher retention and student outcomes